As usual, we’ve rounded up this week’s useful reports and articles, as well as interesting events related to Strategist themes.

First for today is Chris Elder and Robert Ayson’s new policy primer (PDF) that looks at China’s rise and New Zealand’s interests. It’s published by the Centre for Strategic Studies (New Zealand) and Victoria University of Wellington.

Then there’s a new RUSI report that looks at Taliban perspectives on reconciliation in Afghanistan (PDF). Authored by Michael Semple, Theo Farrell, Anatol Lieven and Rudra Chaudhuri, it contains interviews with four senior Taliban interlocutors and finds that they ‘deeply regret their past association with Al-Qa’ida’ (p.3).

The Commandant of Pakistan’s Command and Staff College, Major General Sohail Ahmad Khan, is delivering a seminar on ‘Humanitarian Assistance and Development Aspects in Conflict Zones’. The event is hosted Kokoda Young Strategic Leaders’ Forum and the USI of the ACT at the Australian Defence College, Canberra, Wednesday 19 September at 6.00pm.

Lastly, there’s a CNN live panel ‘China ♥ America’ that looks at the ‘special bond’ between the United States and China. The panel, which includes James Fallows, Geoffrey Garrett, Jianying Zha and Eric Knight, will be at the Sydney Opera House, Saturday 29 September at 6.00pm.